Zvimba banks on 2021 devolution funds

TIMELY disbursement of this year’s devolution funds will enable the Zvimba Rural District Council (RDC) to complete projects that stalled last year owing to lack of funds.

Last year, Treasury redirected part of the funding, set aside for the devolution programme towards fighting the pandemic, while high inflation during the first half of the year affected the implementation of some of the projects.

Zvimba RDC chief executive Mr Enias Chidakwa told The Sunday Mail that most projects which were earmarked for the 2020 fiscal year were unfinished on account of funding shortages.

“Last year, we had budgeted around $64 million to purchase various equipment for the development of our water reticulation service,” said Mr Chidakwa.

“That budget was premised on the exchange rate of US$1:$25, but the rate fell to around US$1:$80 and that obviously affected us. For example, when we did our budgets, a borehole drilling rig was going for around $15 million, but now it costs around $45 million and this literally chewed the greater part of our budget.

“From the $3 million we received, we purchased material to construct 12 classroom blocks across the district and most of the buildings are between 40 and 80 percent to complete.”

He said Zvimba plans to use this year’s funds to develop health, transport, water and sanitation and education infrastructure.

The Government has set aside $270 million for the seven districts in Mashonaland West province, including Zvimba, for devolution projects this year.

Zvimba district intends to procure a borehole drilling rig, two tipper trucks, a motorised grader, two supervision vehicles, a dam scooper and complete the construction of 12 classroom blocks.

“Currently, we are constructing a septic tank at Banket Market using our own funds, while development of water and sewer reticulation systems in Murombedzi and Nyabira will be prioritised,” said Mr Chidakwa.

Council chairperson, Mrs Piwai Chipunza said procurement of a borehole rig and a dam scooper would address water challenges and promote agribusiness initiatives across the district.

The Zvimba RDC 2021 to 2025 strategic plan seeks to address housing, water, sewer reticulation and health services challenges affecting 60 percent of the district, largely comprising resettlement areas.